Fashion Style - Gemstone Treatments

Gemstone Treatments

Though not common knowledge to the public, most gemstones are treated in some way to enhance their color and clarity. An untreated gemstone is a rarity. These treatments are common and widely accepted in the industry and normally do not de-value the stone.

Most retail jewelers do not divulge this information to their buying public or they themselves are not aware. If they are a reputable and ethical establishment then they will be honest if queried on the subject. Don't expect this information to be offered without inquiring first.

Heat treatment is the most common method used to color enhance gems. Tanzanite, which has become a very popular gemstone in jewelry and to collect is heat treated to obtain that gorgeous cornflower blue color with lavender tones and flashes of red. The rough must be heated to 600 degrees; otherwise, Tanzanite as we know it wouldn't exist.

Colored diamonds (which do occur naturally) are irradiated to obtain those most sought after colors of red and blue. Naturally colored diamonds are very, very costly and rare. The "Hope" diamond is an example of a natural blue diamond. Natural colored diamonds can come in a rainbow of colors such as blue, brown, yellow, orange, red, purple, pink, and green, but the cost is just to prohibitive for most people to obtain. Irradiated diamonds create those beautiful colors at a cost which is more affordable. Natural colored diamonds are radiated in the earth's crust which takes millions of years. Man has learned how to speed up the process and produce those same colors in the laboratory. Champagne and yellow diamonds are more abundant in nature and are not usually irradiated to obtain their color.

Topaz is another gemstone which requires treatment to obtain the colors it's known for such as the "London Blue" color which takes about 18 months to process. A recent popular color is called "Mystic Fire" which is a rainbow of colors in the same gem. Another popular color is pink. Pink topaz is much more affordable than pink sapphire. Pink is one of the most popular colors in gemstone jewelry. The "Mystic Fire" color was created by a process called bulk diffusion. Topaz naturally is white (also called silver) or the golden-peach color known as "precious" or "imperial" topaz which is the most rare and expensive of topaz. Due to the demand for the other colors such as Swiss Blue, London Blue, Pink, Mango, Neptune Blue, Mystic Fire, etc. white topaz (which is needed to create colored topaz) has become more and more scarce and risen in cost.

There are a number of gemstones that don't require nor will they take any kind of enhancement treatment. Their colors occur naturally right out of the earth. They only needed to be cut and polished to show off their beauty. Those gems that come to mind are garnets, chrome diopside, red spinel, and peridot.

Untreated gemstones are more rare and therefore may fetch a higher price than treated gemstones. As a collector or investor I would seek the non-enhanced variety if available and affordable.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Learn and read more about gemstones by purchasing Debra's E-book titled "A New Collector's Gemstone Guide" at http://www.profitfromhomebiz.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Car Insurance | Car Rentals | Health Insurance | Weight Loss | Life Insurance

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |

Public Awareness Of Conflict Diamonds Increases - What You Must Know About This Important Issue
Both Hollywood and the rap industry are promoting a diamond term more serious than "ice" or "bling." In a world where looks are everything, and the jewelry worn by a star i...(related: Fashion Style)

Fashion Trends For Fall 2005
The overall theme of fashion for Fall 2005 is an air of drama. Black is back, coats are dramatic, and smart tailoring is going to be huge.Black is back in a big way ? well for most of us it never went away. The stores will be filled with delicious eveningwear particularly black lace, which is sexier than ever whether it's girlie, 80's retro, boho or red carpet elegant. This also works well with the next big trend which is Victorian. Full length skirts,...(related: Fashion Style)

Black - Fashion Constant But Do It Correctly
Fashion is changing. But one thing is should be constant - black. Nothing is boring about the newest fashion in New York and Paris. This is a great tip, which professionals know that make models look brilliant. Black is the basi...(related: Fashion Style)

After The Kilt Sniggers - Comes The Tartan Question
I want a kilt - can I have it in Tartan?Simple answer is yes.The same as anything you buy for sustained use, you have a few choices to make. But nothing too taxing.The most common misconception that people have is that if there is a particular tartan design they like that is associated to a specific family - or clan as they are called in Scotland - then they aren't allowed to wear it.Well, no...(related: Fashion Style)

Dolphin Jewelry Promotes Environmental Awareness
"And when the day comes that we can communicate intelligently with dolphins, they may introduce us to the concept of survival without a...(related: Fashion Style)

The Charming Narciso Rodriguez
Narciso Rodriguez was born in New Jersey in 1961 to Cuban parents. He studied at Parsons School of Design in New York, and upon graduation worked for designers such as Anne Klein, TSE, and Calvin Klein. His parents were not overly happy that Narciso choose fashion as his career. They would have much rather seen him in something more serious such as architecture.Whether on the runway or on the red carpet, designer Narciso Rodriguez is in demand. He began is designer career in 1985 as a design assistant for fashion legend Anne Klein.Narciso has a gift for fitting a dress so that it is flattering to the shape of the woman's body. "It's so fantastic," Narciso says, "...(related: Fashion Style)

Belly Rings: Sexy Is As Sexy Does
Body piercings have been the object of much controversy -- besides being an artistic expression and a celebration of one's physical endowments. The belly ring is such a piece of jewelry.In times of old, body piercings were treated differently, depending on the culture. As most body piercings had ritual or ceremonial value, many cultures prohibited specific types of body piercing that were purely for the sake of adornment. The warriors of old Central and South American civilizations sported body piercings, specifically in the nose area, in...(related: Fashion Style)

Fashion Style Is Important
Fashion style is important. You clothes make your fashion statement, and how you're perceived. Stand straight and carry yourself with grace. You will radiate self confidence.Here are some fashion tips and advice to look and feel good. Don't forget your jewelry accessories are like the icing on the cake. They are the finishing touch. Dress to Impress and Make Your Fashion Statement!Fashion TipsMake sure your wardrobe has plenty of neutrals on hand - they are perfect for mixing and matching. They can be dressed up or down with the right jewelry additions.Not a one of us woman has the perfect figure. We all have flaws. Accept your flaws and work with themKnow your body and what looks good. Y...(related: Fashion Style)

Safety Glasses Can Be Fashionable
Safety glasses have evolved from the days of poorly fitting plastic protection we used to put on our eyes. Today, we expect more from eyewear and eyeglass manufacturers and the same is true for the companies that produce glasses for safety. It's not enough for protective or safety eyewear to be of tempered glass or plastic, having temple and side shields for maximum coverage. These safety eyeglasses must be stylish, well fitting, and come in different colors too. Employees all over the world actually enjoy wearing their protective glasses making it a win win for everyone.If you are an employer looking for top quality protective safety glasses, or a weekend warrior remodeling your home, you can find a large selection of styles on the internet. Many home improvem...(related: Fashion Style)

Forget The Tie - 5 Unique Fathers Day Gift Ideas
Father's Day is just around the corner. Here are some gift ideas sure to put a smile on dad's face.1. Forget the TieVintage cufflinks, studs, watches and tiepins can be found for a fraction of the price of what you would pay for buying new. They can add finesse to dad's wardrobe.2. Vroom Vroom VroomDie-cast metal vintage-style cars ...(related: Fashion Style)